Read Turn on a Dime - Blane's Turn for Free Online

“Thanks. That was really good.”
    She smiled at his blunt honesty. “You’re very welcome, Kade. Good night.”
    After a little encouraging, Kade took a shower. Blane got him some pajamas from the bureau drawers while he waited, but Kade came out dressed in the clothes he’d had on before.
    “Here,” Blane said, handing Kade the pajamas. “I thought you might want something clean to wear.”
    Kade eyed the clothes before reluctantly taking them. “What’ll happen to my clothes?”
    “I’m sure Mona can wash them for you,” Blane said. Or burn them.
    “Turn around,” Kade ordered.
    Blane obediently turned his back so Kade could get undressed. He faced the mirror now, though he didn’t think Kade noticed. Blane was about to glance away to give Kade his privacy, when he took off his shirt.
    It was like someone had slammed their fist into his gut.
    Kade’s skinny torso was marked with a vivid, jagged scar that ran nearly the entire length of his chest. It was still red and puckered, recent then. He turned around and Blane had another shock at the pink pockmarks that dotted his back, the kind that came from cigarettes. Then everything disappeared as Kade pulled the pajama shirt over his head.
    “Okay, you can turn around,” Kade said.
    But Blane couldn’t. His feet were rooted to the spot as the horror of what his brother had endured washed over him.
    “Dude, I said you can turn around now,” Kade repeated.
    It took a massive amount of will to compose his features into something resembling normalcy. Blane turned around and forced a smile. Kade had already climbed into the bed. Blane bent and pulled the covers up over him, noticing the knapsack rested beside Kade in the bed.
    “Got everything you need?” Blane asked.
    “Yeah.”
    “Okay then.”
    Blane headed for the door and flipped off the light. In the doorway, he hesitated.
    “Kade, I’m really glad you’re here.”
    He couldn’t see Kade, not in the dark, but knew Kade could see him in the light from the hallway. There was no reply and Blane didn’t expect one. He softly closed the door and went back downstairs.
    He could really use a drink.
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER TWO
     
     
     
     
    The restaurant was quiet, the lighting dim, and Blane immediately relaxed. He led Kathleen to his usual table and watched as she paused for a moment before climbing onto the tall barstool. Her feet didn’t touch the floor and Blane hid a smile as he pushed her stool in to the table. She mumbled a “Thanks” even as her cheeks flushed rosy pink.
    Greg came by to take their order and Blane ordered his usual drink, Dewars and water. Kathleen took him by surprise, ordering a manhattan. A drink like that would probably knock her flat on her ass in about twenty minutes, especially considering Blane had doubts as to the last time she’d eaten today.
    He studied her as he sipped his drink while she carefully avoided looking at him. Her poise and complete lack of interest in him only made her that much more fascinating to Blane. She took in the room, her eyes drifting over the other tables and bar before she finally seemed to sense his gaze on her.
    “Why do you keep staring at me?” she snapped, her eyes narrowing.
    Blane thought fast, giving her his best disarming smile. “My apologies,” he said easily. “I suppose I was just waiting for you to go into hysterics.” Which was total bullshit. If Kathleen hadn’t lost her shit when a man’s knife was at her throat, she wasn’t going to lose it because of Jimmy.
    “Why would I go into hysterics?”
    Blane shrugged. “It’s been my experience that hysterics would be the typical female reaction.”
    “Well, I’m not your typical female,” she said, arching a delicately curved eyebrow.
    Blane couldn’t help a smile now. “I can see that.” If she had been, he’d have taken her directly to her home.
    “Why would Jimmy feel it necessary to threaten me?” she asked.
    That protective instinct